Laura Anne Jones: Tory MS stripped of job over expenses row

BBC Wales cannot verify whether the messages represent the whole conversations between the people involved, nor their full context.

Ms Jones is currently being investigated by the Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain and South Wales Police.

It is understood the investigation by Mr Bain is on hold while the police inquiry is taking place.

Police have spoken to at least one member of Conservative staff. No arrests have been made.

The BBC has been told the original complaint to Mr Bain was in relation to Ms Jones’s handling of allegations of bullying by a senior member of staff.

A lawyer on behalf of Ms Jones previously said in a statement: “Ms Jones did not receive any formal bullying complaint in relation to any of her staff members.”

They added that she “is satisfied that any allegations in relation to impropriety surrounding expenses are entirely misconceived”.

“Ms Jones’s belief is that these complaints being lodged with the standards commissioner are without foundation.

“As these matters are the subject of ongoing inquiries, it would be inappropriate for Ms Jones to make any further comment.

“Ms Jones has no issue with the BBC or its sources putting these allegations to the police and/or the standards commissioner, which will provide her the opportunity to respond in a formal manner as part of the inquiry should the authorities require it.”